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Eleusinian Cross Torch Ancient Symbol Of-1

The document discusses the cross torch of Eleusis, a symbol seen on artifacts from the ancient Greek world that was associated with the Mysteries of Eleusis and promised initiates a blissful afterlife. The cross torch featured four heads and its design may have represented the celestial crossroads believed by some philosophers like Macrobius to be the location of the gates of heaven. Evidence from coins and urns suggests the cross torch was carried by deities like Hecate, Persephone, and Demeter and was a symbol of salvation in the ancient world.

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Sandro Botticelli
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278 views2 pages

Eleusinian Cross Torch Ancient Symbol Of-1

The document discusses the cross torch of Eleusis, a symbol seen on artifacts from the ancient Greek world that was associated with the Mysteries of Eleusis and promised initiates a blissful afterlife. The cross torch featured four heads and its design may have represented the celestial crossroads believed by some philosophers like Macrobius to be the location of the gates of heaven. Evidence from coins and urns suggests the cross torch was carried by deities like Hecate, Persephone, and Demeter and was a symbol of salvation in the ancient world.

Uploaded by

Sandro Botticelli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Cross Torch of Eleusis

SYMBOL OF SALVATION IN THE ANCIENT WORLD


George Beke Latura

O
ne item of mystery still holds its secrets: the cross torch of the
Mysteries of Eleusis that promised a blissful afterlife to those who had
been initiated. Seen on South Italian urns and on coins of the Greek
colony Metapontum, the cross torch is brandished by Hecate (goddess of
crossroads), or Persephone (the bride of Hades), or by Demeter herself as she
searches frantically for her abducted daughter (above, NY Metropolitan
Museum).
Why a four-headed torch, a veritable chandelier? Could the intersecting
branches represent the celestial crossroads where Macrobius would place the
Gates of Heaven? From Macrobius back to Cicero and thence to Plato – whose
Timaeus describes a visible X in the sky – we can trace the celestial intersections
where stood the heavenly portals.
In this case at least, it would seem that the philosopher and the hierophant
were indeed talking about the same thing.

Brass coin of Metapontum – Dionysos on obverse (wine) and the ear of grain of Demeter
(bread) on the reverse, with the cross torch of Eleusis at right.

Silver stater of Metapontum – Legendary founder Leukippos on obverse and the ear of
grain of Demeter on reverse. To the left of Leukippos, the cross torch of Eleusis.

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